1. The end of the year traditions
in France
Christmas in France

2. •The Christmas tree, decorations and illuminations
In France, at the
beginning of
December, we prepare
the Christmas tree : we
decorate it with
Christmas baubles and
garlands. It’s a good
moment which we spend
in family.
Under the Christmas
tree, we place the
crib. The crib
represents a cowshed
where is Jesus and
the others characters
who surround him
(Marie, Joseph…).
A crown formed of
branches, straw or
rushes braided in the
shape of circle, is hung
on the door. These
crowns are decorated

3. Cities are illuminated and a Christmas tree is on the main place of the city. At

4. •The Advent calendar
The Advent calendar is
intended to make the children
wait until Christmas.
On December 1st, children open
the compartment with the
number 1 of their calendar.
Every day corresponds to a
compartment of the calendar.
Children generally find there a
chocolate. The rite continues
until December 24th
(compartment number 24 of
the calendar).

5. •The Christmas Eve
In France, December 24th on the evening, families make
a Christmas Eve dinner (meat such as turkey, capon) and
also dishes inescapable as the foie gras, lobsters tails
or oysters. For the dessert we eat the traditional Yule
log, the rolled cake.
Oyesters Foie gras Turkey
Yule log
Then, believers go to the midnignt mass.

6. •The midnight mass
On December 24th some go to the midnight mass.
The midnight mass celebrates Jesus’ birth in
Bethlehem. We take back the story of Jesus’ birth
by singing, by miming Gospel and by staging living
nativity scenes.
The midnight massLiving nativity
scene

7. Santa Claus comes to put presents
under the Christmas tree during the
night and children discover them on
Christmas day, in the morning !

8. Christmas dinner
On Christmas day (December 25th), the
whole family meets around the Christmas
table.
The Christmas lunch often consists in a
turkey or a roasted capon and ends by an
Yule log. ( again !)